Five players were present:
- Ffion Tanwen,
Female Dragonborn Cleric - Lupin Damakos,
Female Tiefling Rogue +
Willow, Cat Animal Companion - Mortos,
Male Tiefling Druid - Garrus Ironside,
Male Dwarf Cleric - Amidaeus,
Female Elf Rogue
The Heroes and Bartender Babs have traveled behind the boarders of the Crimson Empire and into the castle of the three-hundred year old Vampire, Vanessa Vasquez. Searching for Amidaeus’ body (see Hopes and Fears), The Heroes find themselves face to face with six Death Knights. The door on the far wall suddenly opens wide. A radiant Vanessa greets The Heroes, proclaiming: “My, more visitors! And the night is so young!”
Knowing that they slayed the Scary Chef before venturing downstairs (see Hopes and Fears), The Heroes hem and haw and try to figure out what to do. Mortos slips up the stairs and transmogrifies into the Ghoulish Gourmet, as Vanessa rings the bell once more.
A smiling Vanessa requests her usual favorite. Caught off guard, MMB asks her to remind him/her just what that is. Vanessa states: a goblet of AB+. Begging her forgiveness for forgetting, MMB scurries off to the kitchen. Babs accompanies him and asks if he really knows how to cook. MMB assures her that he is an ardent follower of Gordon Ramsay.
Opening her eyes, Amidaeus finds herself in the Feywild of her youth. The only difference is that everything is tinted in a reddish hue. Rising to her feet, she hears a familiar voice. Her mother, Elina, comes rushing up and tightly embraces her. Initially shocked, the Amazed Elf asks why she isn’t in heaven, and where her dad is. Elina assures her that her Father is still in heaven and that it is more glorious than she can describe. Elina tells her Dubious Daughter that she took a great risk sneaking out of heaven. There is a chance the Crimson Empire could take control of her soul.
Elina sighs and accuses her of being headstrong. She reminds her of when she was studding to be a cleric. Always questioning, always challenging everything. Becoming more defensive, Amidaeus proclaims that maybe she wasn’t meant to be a cleric and asks if she would just support her choices for once. Gazing into Amidaeus’ eyes, Elina smiles and states that she has always supported her decisions. Embracing once more, they proclaim their love for each other. As she begins to dissipate, Amidaeus tells her to say “hi” to Dad. Finding herself alone once more, Amidaeus sits down in the open field and waits for the setting sun.
As dinner progresses, Ffion questions why Vanessa is doing this to their friends. Reiterating that she was once a pawn of men who abused and beat her, she feels a kinship to help anyone who is in need of strength (see Honey Trap). Not believing she is doing this out of the goodness of her heart, the Reverend Reptile wonders what Vanessa gets out of this arrangement. Vanessa replies: “the satisfaction of helping them achieve vengeance on those who wronged them”. The Lady Lizard asks how many people she has helped in this fashion. Vanessa replies: hundreds, over her three-hundred years.
Garrus exclaims that she seems reasonable and wonders why she is with the Crimson Empire. Vanessa claims that she is merely biding her time. If she didn’t join in with the rest of the Undead, they would turn on her. The Diminutive Dwarf enquires why she hasn’t joined the United. Vanessa states that it suits her to side with the Crimson Empire for now.
Lupin wonders why she doesn’t kill Lord Chronos if she doesn’t believe in his war. Vanessa states that Lord Chronos is a powerful one-thousand year old vampire, stronger and faster than even herself. The Larcenous Lady asks if Lord Chronos can be defeated. Vanessa believes that he can defeat anyone, but not everyone.
The Rascally Rogue asks why she killed the Accountess (see Deadly Persuasion). Vanessa claims that Lord Chronos’ second-in-command, Adonis Aki Hana, ordered her to. The Heroes remember, with some difficulty, that Adonis was part of the same Vampire resistance that the Accountess belonged to (see Secret Agendas). Realizing that Adonis is also a one-thousand year old Vampire, The Heroes wonder if he would be able to challenge Lord Chronos. Vanessa dismisses him as a toady; more of a follower.
Lupin reminds them that if they locate the Waters of restoration, they can return their friends to normal (see Family Reunion). Ffion wonders if they will want to return to normal, if this was indeed their own choice. She also wonders if any of the Waters still remain. Lupin is fairly certain it does, since the ritual they witnessed seemed to use only a small amount of water (see Sleeping with the Enemy). Realizing that the clerics and druid need to rest to restore their spells, The Heroes sleep in shifts throughout the uneventful night.
Lupin wants to search for treasure but the others try to dissuade her, saying that it is not a good idea when they are surrounded by powerful foes and two of their friends are still dead. Babs proclaims that she will accompany Lupin. As the Felonious Females make their way through the corridors, the two Clerics decide to return to their room to wait while MMB stands sentry over the graves.
Mr. B persists to the point that MMB soundly scolds him. MMB reminds him that he must respect her duties and he shouldn’t pressure a woman when she says no. A disappointed, but more enlightened, Mr. B sulks off.
To be continued? ? ?
So much was going on that we forgot the puns during the session.
HORRIBLE MOTHER’S DAY PUNS
1: Her Poor Dog had None.*
2: Material Girl.**
3: Necessity.***
4: Her bed was too Soft.****
5: Italian Expression.*****
6: Famous Painting of Woman in Chair.******
7: Printed Circuit Backing.*******
8: Babies’ Room in Hospital.********
9: Maternal Police Officer.*********
10: 60’s Folk Rock Band.**********
Lupin still seemed to be upset with Vanessa for killing the Accountess. Even as a guest in an enemies’ castle, she couldn’t help but search for something to loot. I was surprised when she actually resisted stealing from Vanessa’s extensive jewelry collection. Garrus tried to extract more information about the Crimson Empire and Lord Chronos. As always, he tried to recruit an existing enemy into the United. Preventing his companions from jumping into combat showed that he knows when the odds are against them. Amidaeus surprised me in the encounter with her deceased mother. I was expecting a much more sentimental reunion, rather than the Gilmore Girls-esque bickering and accusations. Since her character was dead for most of the session, her running commentary through the night was quite humorous. Her haughty return at the end of the session was a fine performance. Ffion showed her concern and determination when she tried to find out Vanessa’s plans for her friends during the dinner conversation. Her after-dinner conversation also showed her fear if her friends choose to remain vampires. She also adopted a wait and see attitude until her friends arose, rather than searching for treasure with Lupin and Babs. Mortos put on a tour de force performance as Mrs.Bloodbone. His vampy, Eastern European, over the top accent was quite humorous. Fending off the amorous attentions of Mr. Bloodbone, twice, was a show stopping performance. Bravo to all!!!
* Her Poor Dog had None: Mother Hubbard.
** Material Girl: Madonna.
*** Necessity: Mother of Invention.
**** Her bed was too Soft: Mama Bear.
***** Italian Expression: Mama Mia.
****** Famous Painting of Woman in Chair: Whistler’s Mother.
******* Printed Circuit Backing: Mother Board.
******** Babies’ Room in Hospital: Maternity Ward.
********* Maternal Police Officer: Mother in law.
********** 60’s Folk Rock Band: The Mamas & the Papas.
Next: Chapter 53 - The Long Game
Previous: Chapter 52 - Hopes and Fears